Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great trip Past Review

By (Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 06/21/2013 to 08/02/2013 with

Brigham Young University: Traveling - China Life Science Study Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the subjects we studied. I gained valuable experience while practicing critical analysis and research techniques in our internship class. It was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I feel that academically this study abroad program was ideal. The courses were not too intense, allowing us to go sightseeing and enjoy being abroad, but they were demanding enough that I was able to learn a lot. The experience overseas was also beneficial in helping me learn more about the issues that our global society faces and what I can do to help.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Honestly I feel like the host university didn't really do a whole lot for us. They fed us a meal (wasn't even that good too) when we got there, reserved our rooms, and took us to a museum once. Besides that we had to figure out how to use campus services including the meal cards and the dormitory internet, energy payments, and laundry all on our own. Only two of our students spoke Chinese, and if we didn't have them along on the trip we really would have been lost in knowing how to live on campus for 4 weeks. Several students from the university were also helpful in showing us around campus and helping us figure things out, but the university itself provided minimal instruction regarding details we needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorms on campus were alright except they obviously hadn't been cleaned in years. The hotels we stayed in while touring cities outside of Shanghai were great.

* Food:

There were only a few meals that I really did not enjoy. The food on campus was sometimes a little questionable. I enjoyed that the food was extremely cheap though.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel like I was pretty well-integrated into the local culture, about as much as I really could be as a foreigner who couldn't even speak the language.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no issues with health care.

* Safety:

I always felt very safe physically in China. The only worry I had in regards to safety was that my money wasn't safe, but I was cautious of pickpocketing when we were in crowded places and always checked money that I received in markets and didn't have an issue. A couple of students in our group did have issues with their bank accounts being hacked into because they accessed their online account information on an insecure internet connection.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

China was very cheap.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $15
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find places with food that is cheap and eatable and stick to them. Buy things like water and snacks in areas where the prices will be the cheapest-- typically prices for these things in touristy spots are about double what they are in normal living areas.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Traveling in China
  • The internship class
* What could be improved?
  • More information before going
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To bring more American cash to exchange.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!